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Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Tom Cruise: By The Numbers

In recent years Tom Cruise has really become more synonymous with crazy than acting. Which is not fair to him as an actor as the two rarely have anything to do with each other. If they did, I doubt there would be any good actors. Which is not to say that I'm a Tom cruise fan myself. I enjoy him in movies, but I never go out of my way to see a film he's in. But that's why we do it this way; to eliminate bias.

First a quick rundown of how this all works for anyone new:

I take all the films an actor or actress has been in and break them down into three categories, 'Good' 'Bad' and 'Okay.' I do not count TV appearances or Made for TV movies. Afterwards a quick analysis will show whether or not they're a good actor by the numbers. Invariably there is a 2-3 +/- point bias on a person to person basis. Also, since 'ok' movies are not bad they count towards the positive column in the overall figuring. If, by the numbers, they fall in the 50 - 60% range, they're a bad actor; 61 - 70% good actor, and 71 - 80% great actor. Anything higher is unlikely, but will be classified as "elite."

Now let's see those numbers:

Most of the time Tom Cruise chooses his movies carefully. He's not the type who does five films each year. He's always been pretty selective. While there are a few bad apples in the mix, there's nowhere near enough to damage what is a pretty amazing overall career. It can be difficult at times to separate the person from the actor, but that's what this system does, and whether or not you like him personally, when the numbers are crunched, at 73% positive over 27% negative, Tom Cruise is a great actor. Course, if he keeps on making Mission Impossible sequels the numbers could always start to slide.

I can't remember if anyone suggested him, so I'm sorry if I haven't properly credited you.

NO NO NO...Cruise is not a good actor. He can only play Tom Cruise regardless of what your numbers say. I have yet to be fooled that this little midget is a super agent, or a Japanese samurai or a one eyed Nazi.

Suciô, I've been tired of Robin Williams shtick for several years, but despite that I can think of at least a dozen good movies he's done off the top of my head. Though I still wish he'd stop and go away now.

Kal, Most actors, lead or otherwise, are still essentially character actors who play different variations of the same role. Cruise is no different. This was a begrudging thing for me as I went through his credits and had to admit, not just how many good movies he's been in, but how many I've actually enjoyed his performances in as well.

That is really interesting! I love that pie graph. I want to eat it. With whipped cream. And chocolate drizzled on it...with a cherry. Found you via Copyboy's site b/c you are "blog of the day". Are you wishing you weren't? I might not have found you then. :) But, now...I'm following you! Mwuhahahaha!!!

I was a fan of Tom from the time I saw Top Gun...I like most of his later movies, but I wish he would stop with MIs too like Arnie and Stallone, he looks aged in action movies...Have you done Robert De Niro /Johnny Depp/Susan Sarandon/Jeff Bridges/Morgan Freeman /Denzil Washington?...I will watch any movie of these 6 even bad/strange one's....

I used to dislike Tom because he was such a poor actor, but to my surprise he got better, and dare I say, good. Now I know your scale is more about movie choices, than acting ability, but I still totally agree with you. Therefore you're right!